Local Hockey Derbies

On Saturday the Cookstown High School Girl’s took on Royal School Dungannon, with some promising results.

The first XI just back from a successful tour were brimming with confidence and a new found comradeship. Jackie Burns in the first minute started the ball rolling with a break up the centre of the pitch to slot home a clear strike. The Cookstown girl’s pushed hard and in the next attack won a penalty corner which Kerri Scott calmly placed into the corner.Dungannon did not lie down in the last few minutes of the half they attacked down the middle to make the score 2-1 at half time.

The second half saw Cookstown work hard, creating some chances and working together as a team. This resulted in Erin Harpur calmly placing the ball into the net. Further movement and great ball distribution from Rachel Millar to Erin Harpur saw the ball passed through to Lyn Somerville who with an accurate touch wrong footed the keeper to make the score 4-1.

In the last few minutes of the game Kerri Scott threaded the ball through to Hannah Taylor who placed the ball neatly leaving the final score 5-1.

The 2nd XI then took their positions on the pitch as the weather deteriorated. This was an evenly matched game with both teams having several chances, Chloe Morrow played well in goal to thwart chances by Dungannon, whilst Clare Spence created havoc up front but was unable to get the final shot away. In the second half, the Cookstown girls came out more determined, Jessica Stewart created some chances up the left whilst Rachel Millar delivered some great balls down the right. In one instance, Claire McCammon saw a neat pass to Jessica who lifted the ball into the net. This spurred the girls on and just before the final whistle Victoria Acheson dummied the keeper to make it 2-0. The Cookstown girls would like to take this opportunity to wish the Dungannon player a speedy recovery from her injury.

TheYear 8’s also took on Dungannon in only their 2nd match of the season. The girl’s worked hard and learnt from their first match. Charlotte Acheson and Hannah Haycock worked tirelessly up front with Sophie Marks and Hollie Watterson backing them up strongly in midfield. This performance led to a 3-0 victory over Dungannon with 2 goals from Charlotte Acheson and one from Hannah Haycock.

Quarter Final Senior Schools Plate - another local Derby

Cookstown High School v Omagh Academy

On Monday the girl’s took on their other local rivals in the form of Omagh Academy. Cookstown have always found this fixture tough both mentally and physically so the nerves were starting to hit as the whistle blew.

Cookstown started the game slowly with several attacks coming from the quick forwards getting in behind, but any shots were calmly saved by Kayleigh Hodgett in nets. Danielle Hamilton remained consistent throughout the duration of the match making numerous strong tackles and delivering passes up the left hand side of the pitch. After the first 5 minutes, Cookstown had begun to settle and Hannah Taylor and Joanna Scott started to cause the Omagh defenders a lot of problems by closing down their press.

The Omagh keeper was on form making several clearances and keeping the scoreline 0-0. Kerri Scott made some great runs down the left putting in some excellence crosses that were just narrowly missed by the Cookstown forwards. The goal came 15 minutes in when Rebecca Lindsay had a shot saved by the keeper and young star of the future Erin Anderson slotted in an unstoppable shot to put Cookstown 1-0 up.

Cookstown continued to press hard and had several shots go wide, but Omagh remained strong in defence and could not be beaten again. In the 2ndhalf the Omagh side came out strong creating a few opportunities, but the CHS defence of Millr, Scott, Bowden and Hamilton remained firm throughout and thwarted Omagh’s chances. Cookstown again had several chances in the 2nd half through Burns and Harpur but the Omagh defence were not breaking down. In the last 5 minutes Omagh, piled on the pressure and had a shot narrowly go past the post and three short corners. Cookstown remained strong and the final whistle came to the girl’s delight.

Congratulations to all the girls especially to young Anderson who at only 13 years of age is able to perform with the best. This sees the girl’s progress to the semi final of the Senior schools plate, where they will take on either Friends’ or Larne.